Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Boquete?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boquete or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Boquete and San Carlos de Bariloche can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Boquete or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
San Carlos de Bariloche
Set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche is the biggest city in the Lake District. Bariloche is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trekking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding in the summertime.
No matter the time of year, there is something for everyone in Bariloche. Skiing season begins from June to October while fishing season is from November to April. Summer is from December to March, but visiting during low seasons (Spring in October to December and Autumn in late-April to mid-June) also has its benefits when it comes to saving cash and avoiding crowds.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoquete $54San Carlos de Bariloche $7.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Boquete is $54, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boquete and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoquete $23San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoquete $46San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Boquete and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Boquete or San Carlos de Bariloche? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Boquete Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boquete $5.23San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Private transfer Bariloche Airpot- Hotels: $13
- Transfers in Bariloche: $22
- Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $26
- Shared Transfer One Way - Bariloche Airport to Hotel or v.v.: $26
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $26
- Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Cerro Catedral - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $36
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $36
- Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $36
- Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Boquete change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBoquete $18San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78
Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
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Pastries$0.01
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Empanadas$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boquete $17San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30
- Small Group Coffee Tour (Minimum 2 people): $40
- Boquete Private 360° View Tour: $40
- Self-Guided Half-Day Boquete Tour E-Bicycle: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
- The Local Flavors of Boquete E-Bike Tour (4 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $80
- 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
- Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
- 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
- Private honey tasting bike tour and butterfly garden walk: $130
Tours and Activities in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
- Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
- Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
- German Footprint Tour: $29
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $29
- From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $39
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
- Half-Day Tour to Circuito Chico and Cerro Catedral with Transportation: $56
- President Peron in Bariloche - Historic Tour: $60
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoquete $4.46San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in San Carlos de Bariloche from other travelers:
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boquete and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Boquete is in Central America and San Carlos de Bariloche is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Carlos de Bariloche would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Carlos de Bariloche and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boquete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boquete than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boquete Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boquete or San Carlos de Bariloche?
San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Boquete and San Carlos de Bariloche, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.